©abib (garricfe'g ifttagterpiece 



A Comedy 

In One Act 
By 

Fred H. James 




PRICE, 25c 



WETZEL, ROSENER, & JAMES 

402 BROADWAY NEW YORK 






TMP96-006388 
/ 

©OLD 31828 



David Garrick's 
Masterpiece 



A COMEDY IN ONE ACT 

by 
Fred H. James 

(CopijHghted MCMXII by Fred H. James) 



NOTICE:— The Acting Rights of this play are re- 
served. This applies to amateurs as well as to pro- 
fessionals. Letters should be addressed to Wetzel, 
Rosener & James, Room 330, No. 1402 Broadway, 
New York. 



ORIGINAL CAST OF CHARACTERS: 
I 1. DAVID GARRICK— A famous Actor— Geo, M. 
' ' Rosener. 

(DR. KRAFT-EBBING)— i. famous Alienist— 
Geo. M. Rosener. 

2. — JACKSON — A Country-Merchant — Jacques 
1 Martin. 

3. — EDITH— fl^is Daughter — Mary Hillman. 

4. ARTHUR— Fer fiance— Wva.. Hedge. 

I 5. UKRY— Edith's Old A^wrse- Maude Hillman. 

I The Action takes place at Jackson's House in 
I London. 



First production at the Wadsworth Theatre, New 

York, by Mary Hillman d Co., under the 

direction of Geo. M. Rosener. 



2 DAVID GARRWK'S MASTERPIECE 

SCENE:— 4 handsome parlor; Door C; Door R.; 
Door L.; tahle with writing material: hottle of Port 
Wine, ttvo glasses on table. Chairs, etc. 

AT EISE OF CrJlTAiy— (Jackson, sitting left of 
tahle filling glass from hottle of wine on ta- 
hle. Mary is standing near him.) 

.TACKROX— Then you cannot see any improvement? 
Will nothing- aronse her from her melan- 
choly? 

MAKY— Xo, Sir. 

JACKSOX— Despite the French books, her fiance. 
Arthur sends her? 

MARY — She scarcely looks at them. 

JACKSOX — How about her music — her painting-? 

MARY— She's given up everything — but that 
wretched pla5\ 

JACKSOX— rTT/f/? a sigh) Yes— I know— Shakes- 
pear's works— another gift from Arthur. 

MARY— Since Edith has seen that comedian the oth- 
er night, her head is filled with nothing 
else but the theatre— oh. Sir,— I wish you 
had never come to London. 

JACKSOX' — I had to be on her account — to save her 
fortune from the hands of my dishonest 
partner — and now that I have succeeded in 
doing so — she becomes afflicted with this 
terrible melancholy ! 

MARY— There's no use in 'talking, Sir, the theatre 
has turned her brain. Why she even talks 
to herself. Only a while ago I heard her 
murmur to herself: "Wilt thou be gone? 
It is not yet near day" — and then again: 
"Oh, blessed, blessed night—" 

J ACKSO'S~( Aside) Her mind is on Romeo— but 
that is but a mask, which conceals another 
name— (Aloud to Mary) Go back to Edith, 
Mary. Try to cheer her up. Console her — 
she's my only child. 



DAVID aARRICK'^"^ M AfiTEIiPIECE :5 

MAEY— Need you tell me that, Sir? You know I 
too, love Edith dearly. Have I not raised 
her? Do I not g-rant her every wish? — 
You can't help loving that sweet girl ! 
(Exit RJ 
JACKSON — Poor child! Luckily, T alone know the 
truth. If she but knew that she betrayed 
her secret to me in her dream. "Three 
words, dear Romeo," she whispered, "and 
good night, indeed" — but soon she spoke 
another name — "Garrick" ! Hm. How harsh- 
ly the world would judge my poor little 
girl, if they knew of the strange fancy 
that has taken possession of her! How 
they would condemn her ! But I must find 
a means to end this fatal infatuation. First 
of all I must get her away from London. 
I Hasten her marriage to Arthur — He, above 

i all, must never know the truth. 

I ARTUVR—r Entering C. D.) How do you do, Mr. 
; Jackson? And how is our little patient? 

I JACKSOX — Somewhat better, Arthur, thank you. 
I ARTHUR — I'm so happy ! You know how dearly I 
I love Edith — and since you've consented to 

I our marriage, I see a new life full of hap- 

i piness before me, which I ow^e to you. 

JACKSON — I, too,, am indebted to you, since it is 
due to your efforts, that I won that law- 
suit, which saved my daughter's fortune. 
ARTHUR— I merely did my duty. 
JACKSON — So you say ; but my heart tells a differ- 
ent story and since you love my dausrh- 
ter, her hand is the best reward I can offer 
you for your friendship. We leave London 
shortly. Will you come with us? 
ARTHUR — Not n'u^t now — I'm pleading a big law- 
suit, which requires much time and atten- 
tion. But what about Edith? She needs 
diversion. They're giving a new piece at 
the Drurv-Lane to-day. I have seats for it. 



4 DAVID aARRlCK'IS MA.STERP1ECE 

JACKSON— Do you really think it would do her 
good? 

ARTHUR — Certainly, it will cheer her up. She loves 
the theatre so much, which is quite nat- 
ural, since it is new to her. 

JACKSO:S—(Co)tfuscdJ But then— 

ARTHUR — (Without ohHcrving Jackson) We're hav- 
ing such excellent artists, such as Barry, 
Keinble and above all, the great Garrick, 
just now. He is the author of the piece 
and plays the principal part. 

JACKSON — Oh, then he is a playwright also? Do 
you know him personally? 

ARTHUR— Garrick? Do I know him? Hm ! Why, 
he's my client — my friend — the big law-suit 
1 mentioned — is his. 

JACKSON— Then Garrick is your friend? 

ARTHUR — Does that astonish you? 

JACKSON— Oh, no— but, then— 

ARTHUR— Perhaps you share the popular prejudice 
against everything belonging to the the- 
atre. Let me assure you, that there is not 
a better, nobler fellow than Garrick. 

JACKSON— But what kind of a law-suit is it? 

ARTHUR — Haven't you heard about it? All London 
talks about it. Garrick wasn't always the 
celebrity he is to-day. Misfortune preceded 
his luck. Perhaps he would never have suc- 
ceeded, had not Lady Harvey smoothed his 
path for him, and helped him overcome all 
obstacles, thus laying the foundation for his 
present fame. Garrick himself did not sus- 
pect who it was at first. He learned only 
by accident that he owed his good fortune 
to a woman, married to a dissipated noble- 
man, who was held in general contempt. 

JACKSON— Poor woman ! 

ARTHUR— This man. a Lord, treated his wife with 
such cruelty, that her family brought suit 
for divorce. Thanlcs to my efforts, w^e have 



DAVJD GARRJCK'SI MAHTERPIECE 5 

won it, and the divorce has been granted. 
Lady Harvey may now enjoy and return 
happiness, for Garrick's gratefulness has 
long since turned to love. 

SHUFELD— GAEEICK MASTERPIECE— TWO 

JACKSON — How romantic — and where is Lady Har- 
vey now ? 

ARTHUR— She lives in seclusion at her country seat 
in Norfolk. 

JACKSON— Then Garrick is in love? 

ARTHUR— With all the intensity of his artistic na- 
ture. 

JACKSON — (^Hs down at tahle and tvrites — Aside) 
I have an idea. (To Arthur aloud) Pardon 
me — I must write a few lines. (Writes). 

ARTHUR — Don't let me disturb you. (Aside) Where 
is Edith, I v^'onder. I so long to see her, 
and convince myself of her improvement. 

JACKSON— /Fo/r//;/.(/ the ^letter) The theatre is not 
far away. I'll send the letter at once. (Door 
R. opens) There's Edith now— I leave you 
together (E.Tit C. D.) 

ARTHUR— How pale she is! 

EDITH — (Slowly entering tmthout seeing Arthur, 
reeiting in a low voiee) Look love, what 
envious streaks do lace the severing clouds 
in yonder east !" 

ARTHUR— Edith ! 

EDITH^nU/f/' a start) How do you do, Arthur? 
(Shakes hands with him). 

ARTHUR — I've bought box seats for to-night — 
they're giving a new play by Garrick. 

EDITH— ('To herself) He— always he! (Aloud) So 
kind of you — but I'm not going to the the- 
atre to-night. 

ARTHUR— Why not? 

EDITH— It will be a comedy, and I'm interested in 
drama only. 

ARTHUR— But, Edith— 
EDITH— No, I don't care to go. 



6 DAVJD GAKRICrS MAtSTERPlECE 

AKTHUII — 1 don't understand you, Edith. 
EDITH — Don't be angry with me, Arthur. Have 
pity on me. You can't imagine how this 
strange apathy depresses me — I'm a burden 
to myself — how much more so to you. 

ARTUXJll— (Alarmed) I beg of you, Edith, don't talli 
that NNay. 

EDITH — Believe me — I reproach myself bitterly — 
and yet I cannot master my feelings — 
(ti tarts to t-nj). 

AKTHUR— Why, Edith, you're crying! 

EDITH — No, no; (Turns mcay and secretly ivlpcs 
her eyes). 

AKTHUli — Edith — you're concealing something from 
me. Can't 30 u trust me? 

EDITH — (tSadly) No, I'm not. Please don't insist. 
You are hurting me. 

ARTHUR — Well, 1 don't want to do that, of course. 
Come let us drop it. Let us talk of our 
future happiness — our marriage. Y^ou're go- 
ing to be happv, dear, aren't you? 

EDITH— n7r/(/yK'/<o///; Marriage! Happiness I I? Yes 
— yes — 1 f I were only first well again ! 

ARTHUR— Y'ou will be well again — depend upon it. 

EDITH — (Without lookiny at him) I fear I'll never 
be cured — never ! 

ARTHUR— Edith— how can you talk that way? 

AKni\JR—(Dreaniily) Oh, don't mind me. 

ARTHUR — (Aside) She seems to be dropping back 
into her melancholy. 

EDITH — (Forgetting the surroundings) Morning 
dawns — we must part — oh, Romeo ! 

ARTHUR— Edith ! Edith ! ! 

EDITH— riF/^/t a start) Oh! You're still here, Ar- 
thur? 

ARTHUR— ('Asirfr; She's forgotten me altogether! 

EDITH — (Absent-mindedly) What were you saying 
then? What did we want to do this even- 
ing? 

ARTHUR — Y^ou said, you didn't want to go to the 



DAVID GARRICK'i:; MASTERPIEUi] 7 

Drtiry-Lane. But, come to think of it, we 

? could go to some other theatre. Barry is 

playing- tragedy, since you prefer it. 

t EDITH — (QuicMy) Yes — I want to see Barry (Aside) 
No one must suspect my plans — my depar- 
ture ! 

' ARTHUR — Very well, then — I'll hurry over and get 

~ seats for us, Edith (Kisses her hand) 

- EDITH — (Trying to smile) Au revoir, Arthur! — 
(Ejoits B.) 
ARTHUR — ^^At least she has smiled once more ! That's 
some consolation. 

i JACKSO'S— (Re-entering C. D.) Well? 

' ARTHUR— What do you think— Edith has actually 

I smiled. She's willing to seek diversion. She 

, will go to the theatre with us to-night. 

; JACKSON- Yes— the Drury-Lane? 

:' ARTHUR — No — Covent Garden — she'd rather see 

I (Barry than Garrick. 

i JACKSON — (Astonished) You don't say so? 

I ARTHUR — Yes — comedy seems to have lost its at- 

i traction for her. 

! JACKSON— Really? 

\ ARTHUR — Well, may be she's right — ^but if she were 

! wrong — I'd still be only too happy to please 

i, her. 

JACKSON— rAs/dc; Poor fellow! 
ARTHUR — I'm going over to Covent Garden now to 
get the tickets — although I haven't much 

j time to spare on account of that law-suit. 

I Well, so long Mr. Jackson (Hurriedly exits 

i C. D.) 

J JACKSON — (Alone) Poor, dear girl! How she does 
struggle with herself; for it must surely 

j be a struggle for her not to see Garrick. 

I (He sighs) My sole hope is Garrick him- 

j self. A man, who is able to move thou- 

sands by his exquisite art and who, him- 
self, is filled with passionate love, must 
know the human soul and itssufferings like 



8 DAVID GARRICK'S MAi^TERPIECE 

few others. He must be able to cure the 
ills of the heart — surely he can do it ! But 
what if he should fail me? I am a stranger 
to him. 

GM{J{lCl<i—(Eut('r'nig C. D., shown in by Mavjfj Mr. 
Jackson? 

J ACK^Oy— (Advancing) I'm Mr. Jackson! 

GAUmCK— -(Taking a letter from ///.s pocket) This 
letter is from you, I presume. (Rends) Dear 
Sir: — My daug-hter is slowly dying-. You 
alone can save her. Come, I beseach you. 
I place my last hope in you. (^Speaks) That 
would be alright, if I were a physician- - 
but I'm not. 

JACKSON—Won't you be seated. 

GARRICK— No, thanks. I have but little time, and 
would like to know briefly what you wish 
me to do. 

JACKSON— First of all let me thank you for hav- 
ing come at all. 

GARRICK— Really, I didn't expect to. but curiosity, 
your unusual letter and above all the de- 
sire to help you, if I could, attracted me. 

JACKSON — Then listen. I'm a merchant from 
Northumberland. A law-suit brought me 
here to London for a time. I l)rought my 
daughter with me and was foolish enough 
to take the unsophisticated g"irl to the the- 
atre several times Avhen you were playing 
your strong-est parts. Since Edith has seen 
you as Romeo, she dreams and thinks of 
nothing else but Romoe and yourself. 

GARRTCK— nr/f// a smile/ Oh, 1 know— youthful 
exaltation ! The girl dreams herself into 
the situation — believes herself Juliet or 
Ophelia — I know these girlish fancies — ^they 
soon pass away. 

JACFSON — But what if they should not pass away 
and should become a fixed idea with her? 

GARRICK — Then you must seek a remedy — the best 



DAT in GARIUCK\S MA^TEEPIECE 9 

thing in such cases is marriage. 

JACKSOX — Unfortunately the very thought of mar- 
, riage renders Edith more sad and unllapp3^ 
And as to her fiance — 

GAKRIGK — Oh, we have a fiance? Everything de- 
pends upon him. Of course, if you expect 
3'our daughter to come down from the 
heroes of the stage to a simple and prosaic 
Philistine — 

JACKSON— Oh, he's no philistine ! He's a high- 
minded, educated young fellow ; but where- 
as she formerly loved him tenderly, she 
now avoids him and if I speak of marriage 
to her — she cries and asks me to be patient 
and give her time. 

GAERICK — It's worse than I thought — but what can 
I do? 

JACKPON — I don't know myself--! merely thought 
— that you might succeed by means of your 
wonderful art, 

GAEEXK— That's easily said, 

JACKSON— Oh, I know very well, it's difficult, for 
the actor requires accessories, if he is to 
succeed. Lights, costumes, music, grease, 
paint, everything to create the ])roper effect, 
still I'm convinced that you have the power 
to make a deep impression upon poor Edith, 

GAKPICK — Perhaps ; but not to-day^v\-hich is of vi- 
tal importance to me, as artist, poet and 
man — so if yon will please excuse me for 
to-day, I promise you that I will call back 
to-morrow\ (Goes to door G.) 

JACESON — 1( Seeing Mm to floor, perceives Arthur 
returning. To GarrieJ:) Not a word. Sir— 
here's her fiance now. 

ARTHUR — (Entering C. D., advances, astonif^lied ) 
What's this, Garrick? You here? 

GAERICK — I'm equally astonished at seeing you 
here ! 



DAVID aARRICK\S J/J.S 



iTi:Rl*lEv\ 



her 



10 

J \CKSOX — This gentleman was so kind as to (Low 
to Gar rick) Why don't you help lie? 

GAIUUCK — Mr. Jackson thinks, I might sik-eed in 
amusing his daughter, who seeml 
afflicted — and we were just talkini 
how 1 should go about it; but yoj 
Arthur, that whatever I might do, i1 
impossible for me to-day. 

AimiUli — Garrick, don't you want to make! 
sacrifice for the successful attorney 
good lady Harvey? In another h( 
case will be decided. 

GAlliaCK — When you come before me with 
argument,'^ I'm ]io\verless. The nam< 
beloved Jennv would cause me to mi 
sacrifice— 1 will speak to the youn*. 
While you are pleading my case bef( 
court — I shall conduct yours here, 
'voir, gentlemen. 

ARTHUR-^My happiness is in your hands. 

GA^IUUCK— And mine in yours; depend upon it. I 
shall give Edith back to you. (Ej-Hh '. D.) 
VUTIIUR— ^ray God give that he succeeds in <.iring 
her. (To Jucl-^oii I Here are the ticket, Sir, 
for Covent Garden. Will you pleasti give 
them to your daughter. 1 shall joiii you 
at the theatre later on, after 1 finishbome 
im}iortant business down town, (xxit" 

''■ "■' • • <mc) 



JACKSON-Alright, old man. An revoir 

Poor fellow! Little he knows what a 
gerous rival he has in Garrick. (To 
who enters in ha.stc) What's the ma 

M VEY— I'm trembling in every limb. Sir— Our y^ 
ladv— 

.l\CK^O^—(E.rcitc(ny) Well— what about her, 
— speak ! 

M\RY— Why she slipped out a Avhile ago thr 

the little garden gate— and I followed h r— 

JACKSON— And— go on— 



Lan- 
ark/ 
er? 
ng 

lick 

ligh 



UAVID UAUKIUAIS MAtiTElU*lE(JE 11 

MxVEY — She walked to the docks where I watched 
her approaching the captain of a Holland 
steamer. 

JACKSON — (Af<idv) Wonder what she's up to now? 

MAEY — They talked for quite a while in a whisper. 

JACKSOX— You don't say! 

MAI\Y — From a sailor I afterwards learned, that 
the Steamer will sail for Ostende in three 
hours. 

JACKSON — I thought so — she wants to go to the 
convent in Brugge, where her aunt is moth- 
er superior. 

MAIIY — -And now she's writing in her room — prob- 
ably to you. 

JACKSON — (Asidv) Edith — so young, so handsome, 
and so tenderly beloved in a convent? It 
shall never be ! 

(A knock uitcrrupts them) 

MAEY — (Goes C. D., opens and ushers In Garrick^ 
now disguised as Dr. Kraft-Ehhing, a fa- 
mous specialist on mental diseases). 

GAERICK — (Whose make-up is that of the typieal 
old German Scientist, with rather long hair, 
and glasses, hands Mary ills card at door). 

MAEY— ("To Jackson) The Doctor, Sir. (Hands him 
the card). 

JACKSON — (Looking at the card) Ilm! Don't know 
him — but any doctor is welcome just now, 
for I fear Edith is losing her reason. (To 
Mary) Listen, Mary, go and return to my 
daughter at once and do not leave her for a 
single moment, do you hear? 

MAEY — (Going to door K.) Yes, Sir. (Exits.) 

GAREICK — \( Advancing) I see you are alone! 

JACKSON — (Recognizing Garrick's voice) That voice 
—(Starts) Garrick ! 

GAEEICK— It's I. 

JACKSON— But this disguise? 

GAEEICK — I appear this time in the capacity of 
Dr. Kraft-Ebbing, sijecialist in mental dis- 



12 DAVID GARKfCK'S MASTERPIECE 

eases— and I hope I shall plav mv part 
well. I have often played far more difficult 
ones; bnt send in your daughter, Sir. An- 
nounce me as a phj-sician— but be quick, 
you know my time is limited. 
JACKSOX— May God grant you success. (Emts R , 
GAlXVaQK—(AJonc) I certainly do hope I shall suc- 
ceed, if only for Arthur's sake. I couldn't 
very well refuse him this fa\or, although 
I'm so busy that I haven't even sent Jenny 
the letter which I have written. What will 
she think of me when she wakes up with- 
out finding my daily letter awaiting her? 
Someone is coming. Probably the young 
lady. (He quickly puts the 'letter in liin 
pocJcet, rises and picks up hat and cane.) 
Now for the part I am to act. (Sees Edith 
entering R.) 
BBYni—rEntering R. talking to herself) It's my 
father's wish— and perhaps it will be the 
last wish I can ever fulfill. (Perceives Gar- 

nAT.T^Tr.T '^^^ ^^' ^ ^^^ -^^"^ pardon. Sir! 

CjAliKICIv— ^ome closer child— don't tremble that 
way. 

T:T>JTB~( Aside) How old he is— and how learned 
he looks. (Aloud) Won't you be seated. Sir? 
lou seem fatigued. 

GARRICK— My dear girl, you need not be afraid of 
the physician. I know we doctors— espe- 
cially we old doctors— sometimes friohten 
our lady ]xitients a little at first. (He takes 
her hand and examines the pulse) Hm. hm ! 
pulse is rather slow for so young a person. 
Do we cry occasionally? Or perhaps we 

■nT^TrrTT ^^^^.^ fiance, who is not to your taste? 

J^.iJllM — io the contrary! Arthur is 

GAERICK— Ah, his name is Arthur— a fine name 

x^T^Trnxx *^at— you couldn't find it better in a novel. 

>.UilH — I never read novels. 

GARRICK— But j'ou dream of romances— which is 



DAVID CtARRICK\^ MASTERPIECE 13 

t much worse — beware of it, child — they put 

I all sorts of follies in one's head, which are 

not so easily gotten rid of — but to return 
to your fiance — isn't he amiable? 
EDITH— Certainly he is— but— 
GAKKICK — Yes, yes, he is handsome — amiable — re- 

' fined — honest, but — ^there is no more de- 

testable word than "but" — don't you do 
anything- to overcome this melancholy? 
Haven't you a girl friend, with whom you 
can exchange confidences? How about 
dancing — ah, — now you're smiling ! 

' EDITH— It makes me smile to think of how fond I 

• used to be of dancing. 

I GARPvICK— Used to? Why you talk as though you 

' had already a past. At your age, a girl 

jonly knows a future — but since you say you 
don't dance — perhaps vou like the theatre? 

. EDITH— The theatre? 

; GARI»ICIv — (Aftidc) How her eyes shine! (Aloud) 

I The theatre — Poo, nonsense ! 

( EDITH— Oh. such indifference — I wouldn't want to 

I exchange it for my illness — how can anyone 

( witness those heartrending scenes and not 

I shed a tear ! 

GAERICK— Oh, I almost shed tears quite often— 
usually at the end of the performance, I 
devote a silent tear to all the good money 
w^asted — how foolish, when you come to 
think of it, that all this money should be 
spent for deception — lies — • 
EDITH — Lies — and what about our great artists? 
GARRICK — They are the cleverest hypocrites in all 

the world — Garrick at the head of them ! 
EDITH — Oh, don't say that — ^Garrick — that immor- 
tal talent — that genius — how could you as- 
sociate such a man with a base mind? And 
who can surpass Garrick — our -Garrick — in 
Macbeth ? Garrick, who makes us w^eep ; 
who makes us laugh — whom j^ou hear long 



14 DAVID UlRRlVK'iS MASTERPIECE 

after he has ceased to speak — whom you 
see always, once j'ou have seen him — Gar- 
P'ick, whose features are forever engraven 
here (Places hand over heart) How heav- 
enly it would be to speak to him, like 
Juliet : 

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea — 
My love as deep, the more I g-ive to thee — 
The more I have, for both are infinite." 
GAUTxICK—fCoinijleteli/ foruetthig himself and his 
part of physician pulls off his wig and falls 
upon his knees before Edith, in an inipas- 
sionable reply:) 

"Oh, speak again, bright angel, for thou 

art 
As glorious to this sight, being o'er my 

head — 
As is a winged messenger of heaven 
To the up-turned eyes of wond'ring mor- 
tals — " 
F.BlTll—fBetvildered) Romeo! Garrick ! Oh— (She 

falls back upon chair overcome). 
GARRICK — Yes — Garrick — who is at your feet — Gar- 
rick, who has never seen a more beautiful, 
idesirable girl than you ! 
y.DlT'H.~( Recovering herself) 'Twas night before— 

but now — now — 'all is light — light — 
GARRICK— Behold me at thy feet. 
EDITH — Garrick! I have betrayed myself — he 

knows all ! 
GARRICK — Yes — I know all — forgive me — Garrick 
has played his part jioorly — he was con- 
fused — ptunned by you — till he forgot ev- 
erj^thing — everything, but you — your voice 
has penetrated his soul — ah, what happi- 
ness to be understood by you — you have 
made me proud and happy. (Kisses her 
hand). 
EDITH — Happy! Garrick made happy by me? Oh, 



DAVID GAKRICK'S MASTERPIECE 15 

blessed realization ! It is the moment my 
heart and soul has been longing for — but 
now — now — you must not leave me again 
— you must remain with me. 
GARRICK — For all eternity — my life is worth liv- 

ling only with you ! 
EDITH — 'But now I remember — the ship will sail — 
the convent is awaiting me — but what do 
J care for that awful prison — the convent 
now (She rises) wait for me here — I'll soon 
iretarn — (She exits R.J 
GARRICK — (Alone) She's gone— but she will return 
— Edith ! what heaven, your love has opened 
to me! 
ARTHUR— rOjS'' stage-^calling) Garrick! 
GARRICK — (^¥ith a start and an expression, of dis- 
may) Arthur ! — I am dropping back to 
earth — 
ARTHUR — (Calling to Garrick) Good news for you, 

Garrick — 
GARRICK— Jenny? 
ARTHUR— Is free! 
' QiKKKlQls.— (Aside) Free— and I— I — oh, heaven! 
I ARTHUR — Now you're happy — you've reached the 

goal of your desires ! 
I GARRICK — (Struggling hard to hide his confusion) 
I Yes — ^really (Aside) I'm crushed ! 

' ARTHUR — But what does this disguise mean? 
j GARRICK — I was playing a part — 
! ARTHUR— Oh, yes— for Edith— I knew I could re- 
! ly upon your friendship ! 

J GARRICK — Of course, you can — but — I'm not 
' through yet — please leave me alone a few 

\ moments — I have to make some prepara- 

; tions. 

J ARTHUR — Yes — of course — I know it is all for me 

' — and my hapx^iness — (He exits L.) 

GARRICK— ^("A Zone; He relies upon me — so does her 

father — and Jenny — Oh, Jenny — forgive me 

— t'was a dream — but the awakening is aw- 



16 DAVID GARRICK\^ MAf^TERPIECE 

ful — oh, my poor head — but, no — I must 
be calm — I must keep it \^\) — I am an actor 
— I must conquer myself ! — How often I 
must show a smiling- face when my heart 
is bleeding- — it's my profession — this case is 
one where a noble purpose is to be achieved 
— but what is to be done — what shall I 
do — oh, merciful heaven — she's coming. 
(LoolxS arou)i(l, and .S'/)jr,s the hnttle of whic 
on the tahlc) I've got it! I must act and 
cause her to hate me. (Takes the bottle and 
assuming a dridih-eii attitude ^tours out 
wine I. 

EDTTIT — (Ent( ring, talking to herself) It makes me 
shiver when T think of meeting father — 
and Arthur — poor Arthur ! 

GATfRTCK — (Quips down a glass of wine.) 

F.T>ITJJ( Looks up and sees Garriek, gulping down 
the rcine) — Why, what are you doing-? 

GAl^ETCK— 'Sense me pretty lady— t" feel so thirsty 
— a few glasses of this Port AVine'll do me 
good (Holds up his glass whieh he has re- 
filled) "What fire! No mistake, your father's 
a gourmant — TTe-ha-ha — a bottle of that 
wine '11 make the best head — da-da-nce ! 

KDTTH— What? 

GATJT'TCK — Yesh — I'm tired out -playing that last 
scene — You know — 

EDTT^T_j^a5t scene you played! 

GAPRTCK — Seems to me — you haven't recovered 
yourself — yesh — tragedy — that wears you 
out. (Pointing to bottle). Won't you have 
some? 

EDTTH — You are joking — 

GAEETCK— Xo joke 'tall— 

FDTTTT — Were you not at mv feet just now? 

GAFRICK— Yesh— I've been Vt the' feet o' many a 
one — the handsome Juliet — the lovely Mi- 
randa — and many more! (Drinks(. 

EDITH— Am I dreaming? 



DAVID GARRICK'iS MAlSTERPIECE 17 

GAKEICK — (Breathing deeply after drinhing) So — 
I feel a little better now — we could go on 
rehearsing- the play now — 1 feel stronger 
now — 

EDITH — 'It can't be! (Watehes Gar rick as if dazed). 

GAKIJICK — (Talking to hiniself in a rambling sort 
of way) Funny — the more I refresh myself 
out of this bottle (Points to bottle) the 
more ardent I feel — I will tell you a little 
confidence — there is somewhere a little wo- 
man, whom I adore far more than this 
Port Wine — a woman, whom I owe all my 
happiness, my fame, my everything — which 
did not prevent me, however, from throw- 
ing myself at your feet (Aside) Oh, how 
I'm suffering! (Aloud) It is your fault — 
why are you so pretty? 

EDITH — Impossible — I must be dreaming! 

GAERICK— Impossible? Why shouldn't I have a 
sweetheart — a love? I wrote her a letter to- 
day — here it is — here's the proof. (Showing 
her the letter addressed to Lady Harvey) — 
Here's the proof — 

EDITH— I can't believe it— 

GARRICK— Then read! (Offers her the letter, she 
hesitates) Read! I wrote it — Read it! 

EBITK— (Reads aloud) My beloved Jenny— 

GARRICK — You see — Your name isn't Jenny — I 
don't even know your name — fand 1-o-v-e 
you — isn't that funny ! (He makes a gesture 
of despair). 

E'DVrJl~(Repeati)ig) Jenny! 

GARRICK— Go on, read it to the end (Aside) For- 
give me Jenny — your name shall be my 
Talisman. 

EDITH — (Reading) There is but one woman in the 
world for Garrick — and that is you — my 
Jenny — 

GARRICK — Are you convinced? 

JACKSON— r^//^ers C. D.) ARTHUR (Enters). 



18 DAVID GARRICK'."^ MASTERPIECE 

EDITH— rrZ/rotrs herself in his arms) Father! 

JACKSON— What is it, my child? 

EDITH — Let ns leave London — as soon as possible — 
please — 

ARTHUR— What— yon want to travel? 

JACKSON— Really? 

EDITH — Yes, father dear, I want to leave this city 
as soon as possible — I want to g-o to my 
peaceful solitude — far from the illusions 
and deceptions of hipfh — Life — where T may 
be happy with you — father — and (Gives 
Arthur her hand) — mv — mv — husband! 

ARTHUR— rJo?//»//// emhraees Edith, then to Gar- 
rielx) All this happiness I owe to you — 
Garrick : but what's this? He can scarcely 
stand ! 

JACKSON— rXofiVnj.or Garriek with surprise) That's 
so. (Aside) The condition he is in! 

GARRICK — (With an apparent effort) As rej^ards 
this yonno" lady — you need not fear — once 
she's away from London, she'll soon for- 
get the theatre — and the actors — and will 
be happy in her seclusion — you too — papa 
Jackson — will be happy — how could yon be 
otherwise — with such eleefant Port Wine ! 

JACKSON — (Approaehing tahle) I can't understand 
it, the bottle was emptv, I thoug-ht. 

GA'RIlICK—(Quieklif and in haste to Jackson) Not 
a word — or all is lost ! 

JACKBO'S^(Returninp to his daughter) Hm ! Hm ! 

AUTB.JJ'R— (Reproachfully to Garrick) Garrick— 
how could you — think of yonr new part 
to-night ! 

GARRICK— My new part? Pshaw! I shall play it— 
and play it well — don't fear — the most diffi- 
cult part I've ever played in my live — I've 
played just now — T'was Garrick's MASTER- 
PIECE. 

Curtain, 



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